Compare SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite vs EKSA E1000 Gaming Headset

ANC is one of the strongest areas: reviewers repeatedly call it excellent for a gaming headset, with a few noting consumer ANC flagships can still do better.

Reviewers distinguish the headset from true active noise cancellation, noting that noise reduction is not on the headset itself but related to microphone processing.

Android compatibility is supported by platform lists and direct Android use.

Android compatibility is supported in one WT review that tested the headset with an Android phone.

The app ecosystem is powerful and flexible, though some reviewers find GG/Sonar setup or software behavior intrusive.

The WT model has app/software support on PC, with reviewers referencing SoundBase or companion software for sound and mic controls.

aptX support is a weakness because the transcript evidence expresses a wish for it rather than confirming support.

Wireless gaming showed no notable delay in the cited review, supporting strong audio-video sync.

Audio-video sync looks strong in the WT evidence, with reviewers citing less-than-30 ms latency and reporting no noticeable lag.

Bass is generally praised for precision, depth, and tightness, though one reviewer felt it could be a little much depending on preference.

Bass generally helps games feel punchy, with reviewers noting strong low-end response, improved sub-bass, and boomy gaming impact, though one review says premium-level sub-bass is missing.

Battery is a major strength due to the swappable dual-battery system and long per-battery runtime.

Battery evidence is mixed: one reviewer got only 7-8 hours, while others reported or cited roughly 30-36 hours depending on lighting and use.

Bluetooth support is widely documented and praised, including simultaneous use, LE Audio/LC3 mentions, and phone or mobile use.

Bluetooth is not supported on the WT model in the reviewed evidence; reviewers repeatedly say it uses 2.4 GHz wireless instead of Bluetooth.

Build quality is consistently praised, with repeated evidence of metal construction, sturdiness, and premium feel.

Build quality ranges from cheap-feeling plastic to sturdy-for-the-price construction; WT reviews tend to be more favorable than some wired E1000 reviews.

Hi-res playback and the GameHub/DAC system are core strengths, with many reviews citing 96kHz/24-bit wireless audio and DAC support.

Button and physical control usability is a strength, with repeated praise for intuitive controls, tactile wheels, and useful feedback.

Physical controls are widely covered and mostly practical, including inline wheels, mute switches, onboard volume wheels, and clear button operation.

Cable quality is generally praised for thick, braided, durable, or long cabling, although one review says the wired E1000 cable is too short.

The included pouch is useful but underwhelming at the price because several reviewers wanted a more protective hard case.

Carry case quality is a small positive, with several reviews mentioning an included pouch, bag, or soft carrying solution.

Charging is strong, especially through the base-station battery slot and quick-charge claims, despite one reviewer disliking cable charging on-head.

Charging is straightforward on WT reviews, with USB-C and about 2.5 hours to full charge repeatedly mentioned.

Clamp comfort is mixed to negative, with several reviewers describing a tight clamp or stronger clamping force.

Clamping force is a weakness in the wired E1000 evidence, with reviewers saying pressure lands on the ears and can feel tight.

Codec support is strong around LC3/LC3+, but aptX/LDAC evidence is absent or negative.

Comfort is mostly positive for long sessions, but not unanimous because one reviewer reported soreness after a long day.

Comfort is highly inconsistent: some reviewers wore it for hours comfortably, but others reported tightness, pressure, hard padding, slipping, or discomfort after longer use.

Connectivity versatility is the product's clearest differentiator, with many reviews emphasizing multi-source, multi-platform mixing.

Connectivity versatility is strong in WT coverage because reviewers mention both wireless and wired use across consoles, computers, and mobile-style devices.

Console limitations are real because the highest Hi-Res mode is PC-focused and PS5/Xbox/Switch cannot fully use it.

Console limitations center on connection mode: wireless is not universal, with Xbox often requiring 3.5 mm and USB-A or PlayStation/PC support being more limited.

Design is consistently praised as premium, mature, and attractive, especially the sage/gold colorway.

Design is polarizing: reviewers like the RGB gamer look and visual flair, but some find it cheap, loud, or too obviously gamer-styled.

Detachable cable convenience depends on version: the wired E1000 is criticized for a fixed cable, while WT coverage praises the detachable 3.5 mm option.

The microphone is not detachable on the reviewed units, although reviewers note it can fold, swivel, or tuck away.

The USB dongle is important to the WT experience, with reviews describing it as supplied, easy to pair, and central to the wireless connection.

Earcup padding is widely praised as plush and soft, though one review notes faux leather can become sweaty.

Ear cup padding receives mixed-to-positive coverage, ranging from soft, thick, cushiony pads to cheaper-feeling or non-premium memory foam.

The cups rotate flat for storage, but the headset does not fold, making rotation range useful but limited for travel.

Earcup swivel and rotation are clear limitations, with several reviewers saying the cups do not rotate, fold, or adjust ergonomically enough.

Earpad replacement is easy and positively supported by multiple mentions of removable or replaceable pads.

Earpad replacement ease is lightly supported by one video transcript where the reviewer checks the pads and says they are replaceable.

EQ customization is a major strength, including parametric EQ, detailed settings, and meaningful adjustment options.

Equalizer customization is a WT strength on PC, with reviewers noting custom profiles, game/music modes, and tweakable sound settings.

Fit and seal reliability improved with better cup movement, but this is supported by limited evidence.

Fit and seal reliability are mixed: some reviewers report a snug seal, while others note gaps, fixed ear angles, or noise entering through poor alignment.

Footstep support is supported by evidence that footsteps became easy to hear and position, though the exact scaling feature is not deeply discussed.

Frequency response is mixed because one review measured notable scoop-and-peak behavior that may require EQ correction.

Frequency response accuracy receives negative evidence from one review that says all ranges sounded weak and indistinct.

Game/chat balance is a strong feature through ChatMix, source mixing, and game-versus-voice balancing.

Headband adjustability is good, with staged sizing and smoother, more rugged adjustment called out.

Headband adjustability is generally positive, with click adjustment, firm fit control, and matching length markers mentioned across reviews.

Hinge and yoke durability is strongly supported by the full metal yoke construction evidence.

Accessories are generally generous, especially USB cables and included extras, but some reviewers criticize the lack of a hard case.

Included accessories are strongest on WT reviews, which mention cables, dongle, pouch, manuals, and charging gear, while one wired review found extras sparse.

One review specifically notes improved ability to separate low drum impact from bass-guitar notes.

The built-in microphones are useful when the boom is retracted, but generally sit below the boom mic in quality.

The headset includes an integrated boom microphone, with reviews noting rotation, fold-up movement, or a built-in mic arm depending on model.

Maximum-volume clarity is supported by a review noting loud, clear bullet impacts during testing.

The boom microphone is mostly praised as clear, improved, and among the better wireless gaming headset mics, though one reviewer found it compressed.

Microphone impressions are mixed overall: many reviewers praise clear or good-enough voice pickup, but a few find it scratchy, tinny, low-volume, or only suitable for game chat.

Microphone noise reduction is strong overall, with reviewers noting less hiss, strong rejection, and effective control of unwanted background sounds.

Microphone noise reduction is one of the better-supported positives, with many reviews saying ENC or the noise-canceling mic reduced background sound and kept voice clearer.

Call quality is positively supported by coworker feedback that the reviewer sounded very clear.

Call and chat quality is mixed: several reviewers found it useful for calls or conferencing, while others warned about Discord friendliness, low volume, or limited clarity.

Midrange clarity is supported by notes about detailed mids and cleaner reproduction versus prior SteelSeries models.

Midrange feedback is limited and mixed, with one review hearing muddiness in the mids at lower volume while another says the headset emphasizes low and mid frequencies.

Multi-platform compatibility is broad, covering PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, mobile, and other devices.

Multi-platform compatibility is a major selling point across reviews, with PC, PlayStation, Mac, Xbox, Switch, mobile, tablets, and wired/wireless use mentioned.

Multipoint is positively supported by evidence that pairing and managing multiple devices is easier.

Passive isolation is consistently good to strong, helped by sealed cups and dense padding, though not every review treats it as a standalone strength.

Passive isolation varies by fit: some reviewers say it blocks outside sound well, while another says noise isolation leaves something to be desired.

Packaging/unboxing receives limited positive support from a reviewer who described the experience as premium-feeling.

Packaging evidence is limited and modest, with one review describing simple packaging plus a pouch and few extras.

Portability is mixed: the cups rotate or articulate, but reviewers also call the headset bulky and not foldable.

Portability and foldability are weak because at least one reviewer says the headphones do not fold or rotate.

Positional audio is a strong gaming feature, with reviewers praising cue location, directional audio, and close/distant sound placement.

Positional audio is generally good for gaming, with many reviewers hearing footsteps, players, or sound direction clearly, though one review wanted better depth.

Preset EQ quality is strong, with hundreds of game presets and countless audio profiles mentioned.

Preset EQ coverage is positive on the WT model, with gaming, music, FPS, movie, MOBA, and genre presets described.

Replaceable earpads are supported by reviews noting removable or replaceable memory foam pads.

Replaceable earpads are lightly supported by one video review that says the pads are replaceable.

Replaceable ear plates are lightly supported through compatibility with SteelSeries Booster Packs.

RGB customization is a recurring limitation: reviewers like the lighting, but many say it is fixed, not programmable, or only on/off.

Sidetone adjustment is supported for both boom and built-in microphones.

Smudge resistance is weak because one review calls the metallic finish a fingerprint magnet.

Setup/software simplicity is mixed: menus can be clear and automatic connection works, but one reviewer found Sonar a headache.

Setup is mostly simple and plug-and-play, but one WT review says PC pairing instructions were incomplete until using troubleshooting steps.

Sound leakage control is excellent in the cited review, which notes protection against audio spillage.

Sound leakage evidence is limited but favorable in one review, which says the snug fit avoids large gaps where sound can escape.

Reviewers broadly praise the Elite's sound as rich, detailed, crisp, and unusually strong for both games and music, with only a few caveats about tuning.

Sound quality is the most divided attribute: some reviews call the E1000 clear, immersive, and good for gaming, while others describe it as muffled, muddy, boxy, or less suited to music.

Soundstage is a major strength, with reviewers describing width, depth, spaciousness, and well-supported game soundscapes.

Soundstage is a recurring positive for gaming, with reviewers describing improved, wide, airy sound that helps create a larger sense of space.

Spatial audio is generally strong, especially for immersive or cinematic gaming, though one comparison notes sharper esports alternatives.

Spatial audio is a frequent gaming positive, especially when 7.1 or surround mode is enabled, though it is more of a gaming effect than audiophile tuning.

Wireless stability is good within normal range, though one review notes audio wavering only after multiple walls.

Stability evidence is mixed, from one wired review saying the headset feels unstable to WT/wired reviews praising firm clamp or uninterrupted wireless performance.

Touch/control responsiveness is lightly supported through Bluetooth/media control from the headset.

Transparency mode is supported as a practical way to hear surroundings without removing the headset, though evidence is limited.

Treble is clear but mixed: reviewers note detail and width, yet also report sharpness, fatigue, or a desire for more air.

Treble evidence is limited to one review, which says the headset does not reproduce much of the higher frequencies, so treble clarity is not a strength.

USB-C is present for charging and base connections, but one review notes USB-C does not support direct headset audio.

USB-C is supported for WT charging in multiple reviews and is presented as the charging port or included charging cable.

Value is the most divisive attribute: reviewers admire the feature set but repeatedly stress the extreme $600 price and narrow target audience.

Value for money is generally positive because reviewers repeatedly frame the headset as inexpensive, budget-friendly, or strong for the price, though not always best-in-class.

Volume output is functionally controlled through the hub/headset, but one reviewer disliked losing normal Windows output control.

Volume output is mostly strong, with several reviewers saying the headset gets loud or is easy to control, though one PS5 reviewer found the wired model not very loud.

Weight comfort is mixed: some reviewers say the 380g weight is manageable, while others call it heavy.

Weight comfort is positive in WT reviews, which describe the headset as lightweight, comfortable, or well-distributed despite its size.

Wireless latency is excellent in the cited reviews, with no notable lag or delay reported.

Wireless latency is a consistent WT strength, with reviewers citing low-latency 2.4 GHz operation and no noticeable delay in use.

Xbox compatibility is a strength, with multiple reviews noting Xbox support through the GameHub or platform list.

Xbox compatibility is possible but limited, with evidence showing wired controller use rather than universal dongle support.